Journal of Humanities JOH (2:1) 192 BURIAL RITES AMONG THE KALABARI AND IKWERRE PEOPLE IN THE PRECOLONIAL AND COLONIAL PERIODS CHINWO, PRECIOUS CHISOM & JONES MICHAEL JAJA Abstract Across the globe, burial and funeral practices have remained a long-standing phenomenon integral to cultural heritage. The African traditional society holds these practices dear, believing that the dead must be honored with proper rites to ensure their souls' eternal rest. This paper examines the burial rituals among the Ikwerre and Kalabari people from the pre- colonial to the colonial eras, establishing the extent to which colonialism impacted these practices in contemporary times. Adopting a qualitative research design and a historical descriptive approach, the study employs the Theory of Death espoused by St. Augustine, Cultural Survivals Theory, and Social Identity Theory. Themes such as culture, religion, colonialism, westernization, custom, and tradition are analyzed. Data from secondary and primary sources reveal significant colonial and Western influences on contemporary burial practices in Ikwerre and Kalabari communities. The study recommends blending traditional funeral rites with global practices to preserve cultural heritage. Introduction Funeral practices have been a universal phenomenon, serving as a vital aspect of cultural identity and heritage. In African traditional societies, burial rites are significant ceremonies that reflect respect for the deceased and ensure their peaceful transition to the afterlife. 1 The Ikwerre and Kalabari people, residing in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, have unique burial customs that have evolved over time due to various influences, particularly colonialism and Westernization. 2 Funeral rites and ceremonies are essential parts of the Kalabari and Ikwerre cultures, necessitating an inquiry into the background, conception, worldview, and oral tradition surrounding death and burial rituals. This research aims to examine the unique burial rites among these communities across pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial periods. It critically analyzes the circumstances and environments that informed these practices and evaluates the role of westernization and Christianity in the observed changes. It is against this backdrop that the study seeks to understand the role of proper burial in societal stability, the impact of colonialism on contemporary practices, and the potential for cultural elements to sustain traditional funeral practices in modern society. 3 1 Ibude, I. O., Music in Kalabari Funeral Rites (Ibadan: University of Ibadan, 2013), p. 18; Benjamin, O., Cow (Eshu) Ritual in The Funeral Rite: The Significance in The Nsukka Cultural Area of Igboland, UNIZIK Journal of Religion and Human Relations, 8 (2016), pp. 35-54, http://www.ajol.info/index/php/jrhr/article/view/141460. 2 Ihunwo, J., Okodudu, O., and Wordu, S., Traditional Burial Rites and Socio-Economic Effects on Families in Ikwerre Society; Olumati, J., The Impact of Christianity and Modernity on Ali - Earth Goddess of the Traditional Religion of the Ikwerre People, Rivers State, Nigeria. 3 Okpalaeze, P., Continuity and Change in the Funeral Culture of the Umuna People in Nigeria from Pre-Colonial Times to 2000 A.D.